The Architect's Apprentice

This is the story of Jahan, beginning when he is barely twelve and stretching beyond a hundred years of life. Set primarily in Istanbul and later in India, during the time when the Taj Mahal was being conceptualized and built, the novel revolves around architects and architecture. Alongside this, history is seamlessly woven in through real historical figures such as Mimar Sinan, around whom Jahan’s life revolves. How Jahan reaches Istanbul, meets Chota - his so-called milk-brother elephant - falls in love with Mihrimah, becomes Sinan’s apprentice, and finally journeys to India is nothing short of mesmerizing. A true roller-coaster ride, Jahan’s life is marked by plagues, the loss of loved ones, betrayal by close friends, nights in dark dungeons, and unexpected acts of protection and kindness. One of Jahan’s reflections on these unexpected blessings stayed with me: “How bizarre it was. While he had been running after things that were never going to happen and resenting life for the gifts it had denied him, there had been people supporting him without drawing attention to themselves. They had given and expected nothing in return.” The Ottoman Empire is vividly brought to life through descriptions of architectural marvels such as the Süleymaniye Mosque, Selimiye Mosque, the restoration of Hagia Sophia, and many other mosques, bridges, and aqueducts. The building and eventual destruction of the observatory built for Sultan Murad III’s astronomer, Takiyuddin, is especially heart-wrenching - particularly the loss of priceless books and manuscripts. It makes one wonder how much knowledge humanity has lost over centuries. The novel is divided into three sections: Before Master, Master, and After Master. Jahan’s description of Sinan is particularly beautiful: “It was after this incident that Jahan understood his master’s secret resided not in his toughness, for he was not tough, nor in his indestructibility, for he was not indestructible, but in his ability to adapt to change and calamity, and to rebuild himself, again and again out of the ruins. While Jahan was made of wood, and Davud of metal, and Nikola of stone, and Yusuf of glass, Sinan was made of flowing water. When anything blocked his course, he would flow under, around, above it, however he could; he found his way through the cracks, and kept flowing forward.” Through another reflection by Jahan, Shafak captures the fleeting nature of human existence: “.. in truth, this world, too, was a spectacle. One way or another, everyone was parading. They performed their tricks, each of them, some staying longer, others shorter, but in the end they all left through the back door, similarly unfulfilled, similarly in need of applause.” As always, Elif Shafak ends the novel on a hopeful note, reminding us that even amid immense suffering, there is always a silver lining - we simply need the eyes to see it. I highly recommend this book to all lovers of literature. A must-read. Hats off to Elif Shafak.

Love this author's books, this one was my first of Elif Shafak's book. I really like the story plot although towards the end it is kinda dragging. If u like architecture, n the whole turkish vibe in stories of olden times, u'll definitely love it.

Great quality and smooth experience, go for it. It's going to be a wonderful read.

Good quality and good packaging

After reading 40 rules of love , I actually fell in love with her writing style... almost read all her books. This one’s Elif Shafak’s epic ninth novel which commemorates another great Ottoman art form, architecture, in a narrative sprawling across most of a century (1546-1632). This edifying, emotionally forceful novel shows how hate and envy destroy, and how love might build the world anew.

Enjoyed the novel. History of Turkey. Love between the boy and the elephant. Got interested and will certainly visit great mosques of Turkey.

Excellent one

Loved the story. The writing was splendid. The characters captured my imagination. A story of exploring, building, treachery, faith, friendship, discovery. And above all, a story about love. I could not put this book down.

O livro é muito legal pq tem o enredo junto com a história de Istambul e a construção de várias mesquitas.

Muy entretenido y aprende uno de la cultura Otomona de 1600 d.c.

I thoroughly enjoyed this book. It is an intricately created story that is beautifully written and must really have taken a lot of time to put together. It is all completely improbable and unfeasible of course, but that is part of the appeal of Shafak’s writing – they are beautiful examples of ‘storytelling’. Everything a good story needs is there: friendship, love, rivalry, heroism, cowardice, deceit and much more. Nothing is meant to be real, it is meant to be a escapism in the form of a good story, which it certainly is.

One of the great pleasures of reading is the ability to be taken away to different places and times. The Architect’s Apprentice does a splendid job in both respects, following the life of a boy/young man who finds himself, along with a white elephant, in the court of Suleiman the Magnificent. The book follows him as he grows, becomes the mahout of the elephant and apprentice to the royal architect, Sinan. Along the way he meets the Sultan’s only daughter, becomes involved in court intrigues, and much more. Ms. Shafak brilliantly creates a world so different from ours (and so similar in some ways as well), and I find it hard to believe that anyone could read this book and not be thoroughly engrossed and enthralled. I admit that it’s sort of a fairy tale, but it’s nonetheless fascinating. I’ll also point out that I started to read this book 10 years ago, when it was first published, and couldn’t get into it. It’s a lesson for avid readers - if at first you don’t succeed, don’t give up. I recently had a similar experience with Demon Copperhead, and I’d like to think I’ve learned my lesson.